KowloonFest @ Kings Park – 4 April, 2024

One of the joys of Rugby Week is that it embraces and unites HongKongers without fear or favour of who you are, where you work or what colour your skin is.

A packed King’s Park saw players from across the globe and of every age play rugby, enjoy life, make new friends and enjoy an excellent bacon butty!

At the Kowloon Rugby Fest, there were winners, but no losers!

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Click on any photo to see the full gallery of images

Hong Kong 0-2 Uzbekistan

In the second round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup at a packed Mongkok Stadium Hong Kong lost 2-0 to Uzbekistan.

Watch the highlights

 

Hong Kong v Uzbekistan 21 march 2024

Hong Kong v Uzbekistan 21 march 2024

images: HKFootball

Hong Kong Art Week: 25-31 March 2024

The art world again focuses on Hong Kong this March with several exhibitions bringing thousands of art pieces from emerging and established artists to the SAR.

As the old cliche goes ‘one man’s art though is another’s trash’ and you’ll wonder exactly what the attraction of some pieces are – but there’s enough variety that you’ll likely find a few things to discus, enjoy and perhaps even buy.

art Central 2024

Art Central
A contemporary art fair in the heart of Hong Kong with over 100 exhibitors showcasing the next generation of talent alongside some of the most established galleries from across Asia.

Art Central
Date: 28-31 March 2024
Venue: Central Harbourfront
Tickets: $850,  $270, $250 HKTicketing
More info:
28 March: 12nn-5pm / 5-9pm
29 March: 12nn -3pm / 3-6pm
30 March: 11am-7pm
31 March: 11am-5pm

art basel 2023

Art Basel
Many of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art galleries display paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, prints, photography, film, video, and digital art by over 4,000 artists.

Art Basel
Date: 27-30 March, 2024
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: $3,680, $1,650, $1,100, $990, $620, $550, $420, $350, $225 from HKTicketing
More info:
27 March: 5-9pm
28 March: 2-8pm
29 March: 2–8pm
30 March: 12 noon–6pm

Samurai RFC Win Inaugural Women’s HK10s

Unbeaten over the two days, Samurai RFC beat Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 14-12 in the final to win a fiercely competitive and entertaining inaugural Women’s HK10s.

Samurai’s ex-England International Rocky Clarke MBE posted on twitter after the final “To say I’m over the moon is an understatement. To pull on the Samurai jersey and win the HKFC10s is amazing. Thank you for the belief in me and memories we’ve created. You’ve made an old girl very happy. Thank you for the amazing experience”

Rocky Clark MBE

Ashbury Tropics won the plate final against hosts HKFC Ice

Ashbury Tropics Plate winners HK10s 2023

HK10s Women's pool standings 2023

Hong Kong Tens
When: 29-30 March, 2023
Where: Hong Kong Football Club
How much: $120
More info: www.hkfc10s.com

Additional reporting and images: HK10s

Tradition YCAC Win Men’s HK10s 2023

In a close and competitive men’s final Tradition YCAC beat Samurai RFC 7-0 to win the 2023 HKFC10s

Hong Kong Tens
When: 29-30 March, 2023
Where: Hong Kong Football Club
How much: $120
More info: www.hkfc10s.com

Additional reporting and images: HK10s

Harry Harrison Designed Charity Rugby Balls

300 limited edition Harry Harrison-designed rugby balls have gone on sale to support local charity Rugby For Good.

A renowned local satirical cartoonist, Harrison’s balls feature a dragon and the Hong Kong Stadium and cost $300, order one here.harrys balls 2023

HK Sevens
Date: 31 March – 2 April, 2023
Venue: HK Stadium
Tickets: $1,950
More info: www.HKsevens.com

Hong Kong Squads Announced for The Sevens

The Hong Kong Rugby Union has announced experienced women’s and men’s squads for the Hong Kong Sevens.

Experienced co-captains Natasha Olson-Thorne and Melody Li Nim-yan will take the women’s team into its first ever World Rugby Sevens Series tournament this weekend when the Sevens hosts a full Series tournament for the first time in its history.

The team has a largely veteran cast with Nam Ka-man, Stephanie Chan Chor-ki, Jessica Ho Wai-on, Chloe Chan, Maggie Au Yeung Sin-yi and Agnes Tse Wing-kiu joining the co-captains. Rising stars Lam Tsz-yan, Micayla Baltazar, Julia Mba Oyana and Allianz Premiership player Rosie Wright are all included as the women look to use their debut World Series appearance inside the stadium this weekend, and then at the Singapore Sevens, as a stepping stone for the World Rugby Sevens Series qualifiers in South Africa at end April.

Head Sevens coach Paul John spoke about the opportunities and challenges that lie in store, saying: “This is the biggest test the girls have ever had. We have a difficult group but we have to embrace that, learn from it, and take the experience of a lifetime out of this weekend. The biggest challenge is to respect, not fear, our opponents,” said John.

 “Hong Kong is a great way to start our progression to the Asian Games. Every player wants to play in that stadium, but it is just the start of an exciting time for the squad. From Friday until the end of April there are three huge tournaments for us to play in, which is brilliant.

 “We have to approach it that way as well. The top teams in the world are here this week, and we need to learn from that. It is what we play for; it is why we are professional athletes – to test ourselves against the best – and hopefully the girls will do themselves proud. If they play to the best of their ability they can enjoy it,” said John.

 Hong Kong are in Pool A with Series leaders New Zealand, Canada and Team Great Britain. Their first match against New Zealand is on Friday at 14.16.

Hong Kong men's Sevens squad 2023

Hong Kong’s men’s squad is also laden with experience with nine players returning from November’s Sevens including captain Max Woodward – marking his sixth tournament (five times as captain) in 2023.

Hong Kong Rugby’s most capped player, the evergreen Salom Yiu Kam-sing, will celebrate a 12th appearance at the Sevens. This weekend also marks Yiu’s 70th sevens appearance for Hong Kong.

Alex McQueen marks his ninth showing, while senior players Russell Webb and Seb Brien make their fourth appearances at the Hong Kong Stadium. Top finisher Max Denmark makes his third Hong Kong Sevens appearance this weekend. Alessandro Nardoni, Pierce Mackinlay-West and Mak Kwai-chung will also mark their second tournaments.

Two X-factor players have also recovered from injury battles to make debuts in 2023 in Liam Herbert and Hugo Stiles, both of whom were side-lined by injuries for last November’s tournament.

Stiles whose 2022 debut was derailed by a late injury has returned to fitness and will mark his debut Hong Kong Sevens despite being in the squad for several years and having represented Hong Kong, China at two Rugby World Cup Sevens and an Asian Games final already.

Similarly, Herbert has been a fixture in the squad having played in numerous international competitions and now experiencing a first taste of the Hong Kong environment. James Christie and Callum McCullough are also making their first appearance at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in 2023.

“Missing out last year, but getting in this time is a dream come true to be honest as a Hong Kong kid”

“The squad is rugby ready,” said men’s coach Jevon Groves. “It has been a tough selection, and there are some very good players missing out, but over this next month there is more of a view to the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series. We want to give guys opportunity so we can have the most competitive squad we can for the Challengers and to push for a place on the circuit.

“Hong Kong and the Singapore Sevens the week after will show where we are at now. Last November, we showed we could compete in parts, and in parts we were below the standard required, so we are looking for that consistency. The Challenger is not an easy thing to win, it will be tough but we have to allow guys to push for spots.”

“There will be some real competition over the next weeks, but it is very tough for the guys to be told they are not playing in Hong Kong. But for those guys that have been raised on the Hong Kong Sevens this is a fantastic opportunity for them,” Groves said.

Two players raised on the Sevens are Stiles and Christie. The 26-year old Stiles said today that the two had played against each other at U9s level (Christie for Football Club and Stiles for Valley) in the Sevens youth rugby showcase 15 years previous, and now both are coming full circle in 2023.

“Since then, I have not really set foot on the pitch in the stadium, so it is going to be an awesome weekend,” said Stiles, who picked up a neck and shoulder injury shortly before last November’s Sevens.

“Missing out last year, but getting in this time is a dream come true to be honest as a Hong Kong kid,” said Stiles.

Hong Kong are in pool B with France, Team Great Britain and Uruguay in Pool B and will close out the tournament’s opening day against France at 20.33.

HK7s women 2023 HK7s men 2023

image: Takumi Photography

HK Sevens
Date: 31 March – 2 April, 2023
Venue: HK Stadium
Tickets: $1,950
More info: www.HKsevens.com

Taichi Kho Makes History Winning World City Championship

22-year-old Hong Kong golfer Taichi Kho won the inaugural World City Championship by two shots, becoming the first player from Hong Kong to win an Asian Tour event.

Kho, who carded rounds of 64, 64 and 70 at the weather-affected tournament held at the Hong Kong Golf Club also secured a place at The Open Championship.

 

Having turned professional in January, the nerves did slightly show on the final day, as Kho dropped shots at the third and sixth holes to see his lead over Miguel Tabuena drop from four to two.

He carded yet another bogey at the par 4 11th which saw his advantage drop to a single shot. However, two stunning birdies at the 12th and 13th put it back to three and, from there, he parred in for a level-par round of 70 and a two-shot victory.

“Being at home, in front of everyone, having my parents here, it just means the world to me. I want to say thank you to everyone,” said Kho. “I can’t put into words how grateful I am to have this opportunity. To play on the Asian Tour and represent Hong Kong Golf Club, to play well with both those things it is very special. The fans gave me a lot of momentum, thank you to Hong Kong.”

World City Championship
When: 23-26 March, 2023
Where:
 Hong Kong Golf Club
Tickets:
tbc